Homelessness

Watsonville’s Hope Village—a tiny home community for people living unsheltered on the Pajaro River levee—finally welcomes its first residents. And, Santa Cruz Public Libraries is hosting a screening this Saturday of the forthcoming documentary “The Inquisitor," which chronicles the legacy of Congresswoman Barbara Jordan.

The annual Point-in-Time Count provides data about how many people are experiencing homelessness locally. Plus, U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta, D-Carmel Valley, and other local leaders hold a press conference about responding to Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity.

Major layoffs in the Pajaro Valley Unified School District, local growers are unhappy with a Trump farm bailout, and new approaches for housing gain steam. That and more in this week's roundup.

How local homeless service providers are preparing for a sharp reduction in federal funding for permanent housing. And, Santa Cruz County takes a baby step toward regulating new battery energy storage facilities.

The Marine Mammal Center has opened a new location in Castroville. And, a new Seaside ordinance tightens restrictions on panhandling and vehicle living.

Homelessness numbers in Santa Cruz County are the lowest they’ve been in over a decade, and the cause of a fire that started yesterday in San Benito County is currently under investigation.

After months of delays, the first units for an interim housing project were delivered this week in Watsonville. Plus, former Vice President Kamala Harris says no to a gubernatorial run.

In today's newscast, funding to address homelessness is in a precarious spot. Still, some grant money is available, and Monterey and San Benito counties are looking for community input on funding priorities.

In today's newscast, a new bill would make some state homelessness funding available to places with sober living requirements. Plus, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has cancelled two programs that helped schools and food banks buy local produce.

In today's newscast, officials say homeless services in the city of Santa Cruz are safe from federal budget cuts. And, new soil tests show encouraging news in part of the Moss Landing fire zone.